The fourth allegation is that less than 12% of all Native American children in the state of South Dakota foster care system have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. The Native American children continue to suffer from this modern-day version of forced assimilation (Ennis,2011). Governor, I believe you have the power, influence and authority of spearheading the actualization of the proposal to amend the State Recognition Bill that also includes the adoption of the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples to protect the Abanaki tribe and other Native tribes. I must once again commend you for signing legislative bills in April 22nd, 2011 that officially recognized two Abenaki Bands; the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation and the El Nu Abenaki Tribe. That was a wonderful step towards realizing equality and justice to the Native tribes.

The current living condition on the reservations

Governor, the Office of Minority Health (2008) indicated that close to 40% of the nation's 4.9 million Native American population lives on reservations. The living conditions on these reservations are noted to be comparable to the one in Third World countries (NRC,2006). Some of the pressing issues that affects the Native Americans under your jurisdiction are economic problems (unemployment and poverty), health (lack of adequate health care facilities amid several health issues like diabetes) and poor housing (overcrowding and less than 50% are connected to the public sewer systems). There is also a need for truth and reconciliation commission to be constituted in each state in order to address the various historical injustices that have been meted against the Native Americans. The issues with housing have to be addressed by special housing tribunal.

Sir, my personal opinion is that the Vermont Government should tackle issues on Socio-economic, political, legal and cultural issues, Self-determination, land resources, current adoption/foster care programs of Native American Children and Native American people in Vermont should be addressed decisively with appropriate legislation being...

The Native American should also come together to express their ideas as proposed by Johl Ringuette (Inspiring Approaches,2011). It is important to keep children with their families or tribe members so as not to loose their culture and traditions. The recognition to the tribes must therefore take note of the special role that is played by the adults and children in communicating the culture and tradition through the generations. This can never be achieved by separating the children from their native families, relatives or even tribesmen.
It really feels bad as a Vermont resident and taxpayer to see these forms of injustices being meted to fellow citizens even after President Barack Obama said he was giving a U.S. endorsement to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Kindly hear my plea and help us make Vermont a model state in regard to Indigenous people's justice and equality.

Yours Sincerely